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On 12/19/2022 at 9:19 PM, cruisinqt said:

From what I hear people were abusing the situation. They were going back and forth between the 2 places hoarding cans of soda then taking them back to their cabins.  That way their fridges were stocked for the whole family. 

Java cafe always opened mine (at least the majority of the time) but I could for sure see that happening of the person working didn’t open it each time.   It just still seems pointless because it seemed like half the bars  handed you an unopened can and a glass of ice. 

I guess it probably was people abusing it somehow but like I said above, the soda was opened 100% of the time by the worker when they rang it up at Java Cafe where it was from the regular bars where they didn’t always open it.   Just seems like if they are handing you cans and ice the majority of the time (only saw like 2 bars with the soda fountain sprayer) it doesn’t seem any different then opening and handing you a can from anyplace that has them.  
 

I think I remember soda only being available after like 11 PM on horizon in May versus all day but I know I got some cans of soda there with the bubbles package.  

On 12/19/2022 at 8:53 PM, Elaine5715 said:

They may serve you an open can of soda.  When you buy a pop from Java, you are purchasing an unopened can to enjoy at your leisure.  

The Java cafe would open the can 100% of the time on at least 3 of the ones I remember from earlier this year and hand it to me just like the bars do so I don’t think that the main reason for changing policy. 

On 12/19/2022 at 7:56 PM, BlerkOne said:

Cans aren't included in the Bubbles package.

 

Soft drink is served by the glass (16 ounces); juice is served by the glass (10 ounces

 

If some venues don't follow the rules, be happy.

 

 

There was only 1-2 bars on celebration that even seemed to have fountain soda sprayer.   They all handed you the can (probably 50/50 on if they opened it) and a glass of ice.   I guess sometimes the person started pouring it and then handed you it half poured with can. 

Does anyone know Carnival’s reasoning behind not letting people with the bubbles package get a can of soda from Java Cafe or the pizza place?  
 

Just sailed on Celebration and they said they are included anymore and would tell you to get it from the bar 10 ft away and then the bar would have you a can and a cup of ice.   Made no sense (specifically later at night when pizza was still open but bar near it was closed and then the closest place to get soda would have been casino bar).  
 

I’ve done a few other cruises this year and was able to get cans at both Java cafe and pizza place on all of those but when I asked guest services about it they told me it was a newer policy company wide.  

Is it easy to rent a car to drive around and explore different beaches on the island?   We rented cars and explored on our own when we stopped in Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and Grand Turk recently.  Anyone familiar with how parking is at some of the more popular beaches?

Can I just find a rental at the port or would I need to reserve in advance?

Park at the port.  It cost more money but it is much more convenient and probably a lot safer.  

Booked Bella interior for a 4 night cruise on Davina last month.  Received an inside room on deck 8 - I believe this would have been the same room we could have selected with the Fantastica package so I assume it could have been considered an upgrade but it was above the theater so I assume during shows there might have been more noise - I don't think this would have bothered me since the shows are not super late at night.

We bid  the cheapest amount possible on an upgrade to a partial view balcony.  We were assigned a balcony room on deck 11 (so I think it was an upgrade to a normal balcony without an obstruction since we were above the life boats but could still technically look down and see them) BUT we were assigned a room with a connecting door which turned out to be an awful room.   Their connecting doors have an obvious gap around them so you can hear normal conversations and sounds from the other room the whole time.  There were signs at guest services saying the boat was full when we tried to switch rooms but I asked if we could even switch to oceanview or back to inside just to not have a connecting room.  They did end up moving up to another balcony room that wasn't a connection room and that one was so much quieter so it all worked out.

So based on this experience, I will never do a paid upgrade (unless its to a category that has NO connecting rooms).  I will also never book the bella experience again because I don't want to be a assigned a room that connects.  

On 7/27/2022 at 9:02 AM, awinte2 said:

I am pretty sure you need internet or data to use IMessage. 

I paid for internet but 3 people in our group didn't pay for internet but were all able to all still use iMessage even without paying for internet.  It could have just been a fluke but it worked.  They were connected to the ship wifi to be able to use the app but they didnt pay for the additional internet capability.  This was Thanksgiving Weekend on the Princess Regal ship.

56 minutes ago, bac513 said:

Pre cruise testing is a pain, but it does provide (although not infallible) a level of health safety. I wonder how all those cheering for the termination of the testing would react if they were infected on board due to irresponsible passengers.  If the testing is eliminated, it becomes more important that vaccination should still be required and that, at a minimum, the cruises lines should temperature check passengers upon arrival at the terminal.

I think testing is almost just a false sense of security.  I got COVID after an 8 night cruise.   It was the 4th cruise I’ve done since COVID but the others were 5, 6, and 4 night cruises.   I think with longer cruises, you all test negative 2-3 days before but then people get exposed while traveling and become symptomatic while on boat and then it spreads.  On shorter cruises, if your exposed 1-2 days before getting on boat, you’re not as likely to get symptoms and be contagious till your off the boat.  
 

I mean the testing does stop those who already have COVID from boarding but there is still lots of exposure that can still happen.   It’s just the risk of cruising.  
 

I’ve also gotten the Flu from cruising so it’s always something. 

Are the chairs free on every beach?  I know umbrellas are only free and first come first serve on the one beach and I feel like I have seen people say you have to pay for chairs at the other beaches but I have only seen umbrella rentals listed online.

Are there trams that will take you to beaches if you are not YC or would you have to walk to all of them?

Are there areas worth snorkeling at from the shore?  Should I bring fins or would just mask be ok?

If you're staying over night at the island, I think I read you have to be back on boat by 11:30 pm, how early can you go back onto island the next morning.  I saw you could book a sunrise cruise but can you just go onto island and watch sunrise from there?

4 minutes ago, Nunagoras said:

Quite likely!... Promos are just for pax 1 and 2 pretty much everywhere. If you have a drinks package, teen will need to pay for the teens non alcoholic version, even if it's a "teens sails free" promo, and port fees are bundled on your base fare.

For fun, I priced out the 7 day one for the week before ours, and it listed the SRN fee as $159 for the teen.   So if it was just the $20 x number of nights it would have been $140??  

We are paying it either way,  I was just curious what it was since its only listed under the 3rd passenger.

I had to call to ask a questions about something else and they told me it was just taxes.  That on their end they see it broken down that way for passenger 1 and 2 also (but I just see cruise fare on my end)?   but who knows, that's also an easy response so I don't ask more questions.  

19 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

Ship? Sailing?  In Europe you pay the service charges up front so it could be that.  More info needed to help.

Its a 4 night cruise out of Port Canaveral.

It just has a line item for SRN $80 listed for the 3rd person in the room (a teen).  Its lists the cabin price, that charge, then taxes and fees.

cabin fares 119

SRN  80

Gov't fees and taxes 110.00

This is listed under the 3rd person (teen) for our room reservation.  What does it stand for?  Is it refundable if the teen doesn't come on the cruise?  Port fees would be refunded if the teen doesn't come right?

On 6/18/2022 at 8:01 PM, pj17 said:

I have tried every link but cannot find the US web form for the status match. I found a cached version but it would not let me put in city and state. When I search it on MSC it goes back to main page. Would someone please share it.

TIA,

Pam

I am having the same problem. 
 

Hopefully someone else figures it out and shares :)

Thinking of booking MSC cruise next month that has the free wifi and easy drink package rate.   Does MSC have different levels of wifi?  Would the free wifi in that initial package rate allow access to internet to watch streaming videos?  My daughter is taking online classes and needs access to the school canvas site and to watch videos the teacher posts.  She had no issue while using the wifi on Princess or while using the premium wifi on Carnival for her school work so I wondered how it compares to their services (if anyone is aware).  

Thanks!

I am looking to rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle for the day.  We would like to visit the national park.   I have checked online with different companies and they seem to have a 3-5 day rental minimum.  Anyone have any recommendations or experience that they can share?

On 4/22/2022 at 4:39 PM, BlerkOne said:

I'm not sure where this originated, but the Internet pricing is wrong. Current pricing is already over $13.60/day for Premium Internet (now $14.45). If that is what the new pricing will be, I'll cancel my plans for cruises after May 1 and repurchase.

 

I found the Wifi on Mardi Gras to be usable.

The internet pricing is different on different ships.  Some (like Horizon) still has the premium for $13.60 but I paid $14.45 per day on a different ship two weeks ago.   The social on Horizon is $7.60 but I paid $6.80 two weeks ago (Paradise).   Makes no sense.  

Not worth it for me.  
 

I got it on a recent cruise and I kept having to make sure I ordered things to make it “worth it”. 
 

I don’t drink coffee and I have no issue drinking a cup of ice with water versus having to have bottled water (or I just order 12 pack prior to cruise or like $6). 

I see the specifically list the changes in gratuities but do they list the difference for the other increases anywhere?  I tried looking and couldnt find it listed anywhere

We have a hold on carnival pride but before we booked it, I have a question about the Oceanview rooms.

We currently have 1167 on hold.  It is under casino - are these rooms really loud from casino above?

It shows that the room has a sofa but it doesn't state that it is a sofa bed, just that it has an upper pullman for 3rd person.  Does the sofa convert to bed or will 3rd person have to sleep on upper pullman?

I could maybe switch to room 1104 which states it has a single sofa bed but this rooms looks to be right by elevator and the lounge so I was worried it could be super loud too.

Anyone have an experience on the Pride Oceanview rooms with respect to noise and the sofa being converted into bed too?

What options do I have with renting a car from the port where Carnival docks.  The one place I found only had a location in town so I am trying to avoid having to take a taxi back and forth to town to pick up a buggy.   Will there be places outside the Carnival port where you can rent them day of?  Or a company I can reserve them from in advance?

I just want to be able to go to Punta Sur but I know that they don't have cabs sitting out front there to take be back to port which is why having my own transportation would be useful.  

Back in November we booked this excursion:  https://www.tortugascozumel.com/privateboats

It was a great experience, the captain, tour guide and photographer were all super friendly.  We had 7 people from our group go and it was nice to have the small boat to our group only.  Water was beautiful.  The food and drinks were good.  We hung around the beach club afterwards before heading back to ship.  Easy to get a taxi to and from the location.  

This was horizon menu back in January 2022

It included glass of champagne and then unlimited red or white wine.   It cost $75 per person and it was in the conference room in one of the dining rooms.  No kitchen tour.   I saw that its normally $95 on Horizon but I think since its not in kitchen and no kitchen tour with COVID that they discounted it to $75.